At any age, great sex requires deep relaxation. It’s difficult–or impossible–for most people to relax when they feel anxious about the possibility of contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI, also known as sexually transmitted disease or STD). Great sex also requires communication and trust. Most people find it difficult–or impossible–to trust a lover who doesn’t care about the possibility of passing an STI, or who neglects to mention that they have one. Finally, great sex requires leisurely, playful, whole-body sensuality. This allows plenty of time for lovers to check in with one another about STI prevention.

Having an STI does not mean that you’re damaged or condemned to a life without partner sex. Most STIs can be cured fairly easily. Even if you have one that persists, notably, herpes, genital warts, or HIV, you can still enjoy great sex–as long as you take the simple steps that prevent their transmission.

In this article:

• Risk By Age Group
• Did Your Partner Cheat? Maybe … But Maybe Not
• Getting Treated
• GENITAL WARTS (HPV)
• CHLAMYDIA
• GONORRHEA (THE CLAP)
• HERPES
• HIV/AIDS
• SYPHILIS
• URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS (UTIs, cystitis, bladder infection)